First off, I've heard that the people who are really into these hate the term "rat rods" even though it seems like a great label to me.

I like them and what I am particularly envious of is their apparent sense of commaraderie that seems to be lost in the Ford performance niche. IMO, the "rat rod" scene is comparable to the the low rider scene in that by focusing on "culture" rather than "performance" you seem to eliminate the potential bad attitudes and walls that come from a hobby based on speed and competition.

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